Spontaneity - Part 2

This post is a “sequel” of sorts to my post about spontaneity a few weeks back. With that said, I’m already feeling the pressure. There’s nothing worse than a sequel that falls short.

Ever seen Ocean’s 12? Yeah, quite disappointed with the epiphany that Julia Roberts’ character “looks like Julia Roberts”.

Have you seen an Indiana Jones post 1989? Yep, the studio should've just lit some money on fire. 

Karate Kid 2? Crap!   (Though long live Mr. Miyagi!!!)

Dumb and DumberER? A Complete Embarrassment.

While I’m on the subject of sequels: You mean to tell me Fast and Furious is worthy of 17 volumes, yet we don’t have a sequel to Ferris Bueller? This is a tragedy!

My sincere apologies. I really need to get back on topic.

So a few weeks back we’re walking along St. Pete Beach. Abs and I were enjoying the stroll. Judd was just a few feet ahead of us with his typical routine:

Run about 20 feet…..dig in the sand…..pick his nose…..Repeat.

With about a week to go until Abby’s first Chemo Treatment, I made a spontaneous vow:

Lets go away at least ONE weekend in between your chemo treatments.

(Basically….one weekend a month for the next 4 months)

I know, I know….this is certainly not a groundbreaking proclamation. But let me pontificate for a bit. Abs and I cannot say enough how humbled we are by the offerings and gifts that have been given to us. We simply cannot say thank you enough. At the same time, we recognize that every penny that’s been given to us is a sacrifice by somebody else. We feel a great responsibility to do the right thing with your hard earned offering.

So, where am I going? I’ve been troubled over the last few weeks at how it would be “perceived” if Abs and me were traveling on the weekends and clearly doing some fun things that come at a cost. Yes indeed, I always overthink EVERYTHING.

So Sunday morning we’re sitting in the early service at Meadowbrook Church. Pastor Tim Gilligan was on fire as always. This week’s message was about praying for yourself. Sure enough he said something that hit home…..

“Do you want God to tell you his will? Just ask for it!”

And sure enough, He told me right there. Take the trips. Do them on a strict budget. Take pictures. Share the experience with Team Jones. Enjoy the good times.

So there you have it…..a minor glimpse into the mind of Ross Jones. It’s best we don’t go any further so as not to induce mass panic and hysteria.

So where have our journeys taken us?

1. St. Pete Beach (see pictures on the What’s Good post)

2. Clearwater, FL (Thanks to a free condo from family friends – Imagine wine and cheese on your 11^th floor balcony overlooking the beach. Oh yeah!

3. Most Recent - Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando

I’ll share pictures and stories along the way. We know we’ve got another St. Pete Beach trip soon. Apollo Beach, Sarasota, and Long Boat Key (A buddy’s 30^th birthday) will likely round out the tour. In the meantime, here are some stories and pictures from our trip to the Gaylord Palms…….

Me: Hey buddy, when you finish lunch, do you want to go to Orlando?

Judd's Face: Uhh…..where the heck is that?

The lobby and atrium at the Gaylord Palms are incredible. Are you under age 5? Or perhaps is your maturity under age 5? Visit this place. Judd literally roamed the "rainforest" for over an hour. We just can't get this sort of excitement at home.

We visited the Gaylord for it's pool. Picture a waterpark "out back" from your hotel. Kids were having a blast. Parents were having a blast. Sure, I left my doctor a voicemail requesting a Tuberculosis shot when I saw how many kids were in the pool. Regardless, we had a blast. 

One Day, Son

Our morning hotel routine includes coffee, setting up Elmo for Judd, and breakfast in bed. 

Just living the dream

Judd enjoyed ketchup on his fries for the first time in his life. What follows here is the greatest Before and After EVER caught on camera.

We had a great time. We needed it. When we left the hotel, Judd fell asleep within minutes. Abs dozed off too. I caught this while stopped at a red-light. Hair intact. Power bracelets in full force. Breast cancer pillow in tight embrace. 

Keep on truckin Abs!